ACC ~ Matthew 27 v32

A MAN OF CYRENE

LEO THE GREAT: But as the multitudes went with Jesus to the place of punishment, a certain Simon of Cyrene was found on whom to lay the wood of the cross, instead of the Lord. Even this act signified that faith would come to the Gentiles, to whom the cross of Christ was not to be shame but glory. It was not accidental therefore but symbolic and mystical, that while the Jewish rulers were raging against Christ, a foreigner was found to share his sufferings. Thus the apostle would say, “If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.” [1]

Note that it was not a Hebrew or an Israelite but a foreigner who was drawn into service for the Savior in his most holy humiliation. [2] By this transference the propitiation of the spotless Lamb and the fulfillment of all mysteries passed from the circumcision to the uncircumcision, from the sons according to the flesh to the sons according to the spirit. Hence the apostle would say, “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” [3] He offered himself to the Father as a new and true sacrifice of reconciliation. He was slain not in the temple, whose worship was now at an end, and not within the confines of the city which for its sin was doomed to be destroyed, but beyond the walls of the city, “outside the gate.” [4] Thus with the cessation of the old symbolic victims, a new victim was being placed on a new altar. The cross of Christ was to become the altar not of the temple but of the world. SERMON 46.5. [5]

[1] 2 Tim 2:12; Rom 8:17.

[2] That Simon was a foreigner is not mentioned in the Gospels; Leo assumes this because Simon was from Cyrene.

[3] 1 Cor 5:7.

[4] Heb 13:12.

[5] SC 74:59-60; NPNF 2 12:172.

THE GOVERNMENT UPON HIS SHOULDERS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The Savior is led to the suffering that brings salvation. They laid his cross on Simeon of Cyrene. Another of the holy Evangelists said that Jesus himself carried the cross. [1] Now surely both [accounts] are correct. For the Savior carried the cross, and, having met the Cyrene about half way, they transferred the cross to him. It is said about him through the voice of Isaiah that “a child has been born to us, and a son has been given to us, and the government shall be upon his shoulders.” [2] Now the cross has become the means by which he governs, through which he continues to rule over all heaven, since it is true that even as “far as death” he has become “obedient, even to death of a cross. Therefore God has exalted him.” [3] FRAGMENT 306. [4]

[1] Jn 19:17.

[2] Is 9:6.

[3] Phil 2:8-9.

[4] MKGK 262-63.

SIMON OF CYRENE

ORIGEN: “As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; they compelled this man to carry the cross” of Christ. It was fitting not only for the Savior to take up his cross but also for us to carry it, doing compulsory service for our salvation. Furthermore, we did not benefit by taking up his cross then as much as we benefit by it now, since he takes it upon himself and carries it. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 126. [1]

[1] GCS 38.2:263.

COMPELLED TO CARRY THE CROSS

CHROMATIUS: Finally, the Gospel reports in the present reading that as the Lord was being led to his Passion, “they found a certain man of Cyrene named Simon and compelled him to carry the cross.” The cross of Christ is the triumph of virtue and a trophy of victory. How blessed is Simon, who deserved to be the first to bear so great a sign of victory! He was compelled to carry the cross before the Lord because the Lord wanted to demonstrate his cross to be a singular grace of that heavenly mystery which is himself: God and man, Logos and flesh, Son of God and Son of man. He was crucified as man but triumphed as God in the mystery of the cross. His suffering was of the flesh, but his glorious victory was divine. Through his cross, Christ defeated both death and the devil. Through the cross, Christ mounted his chariot of victory and chose the four Evangelists, as though horses for his chariot, to announce so great a victory to all the world. Simon of Cyrene therefore was carrying the instrument of this great triumph in his arms. He was a partaker of the Passion of Christ so that he might be a partaker of his resurrection, as the apostle teaches: “If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure with him, we will also reign with him.” [1] Similarly the Lord himself says in the Gospel: “He who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” [2] TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 19.5. [3]

[1] 2 Tim 2:11-12.

[2] Lk 14:27.

[3] CCL 9a:91-92.

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